Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Chilly morning ride in Botswana, with Chris the handler, aboard huge but gentle Cathy. We were accompanied by her adopted grandson - the cutest baby elephant ever. He swam in the Delta alongside us as we shivered, but thoroughly enjoyed, viewing the magnificent beauty of the African bush from above.

Just a glimpse of what will come once I'm home again - another journey of a lifetime in Southern Africa. Internet very sparse, but tonight I'm able to actually post a pic (although it took forever) and to tell you we are now enjoying Victoria Falls in Zambia.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

As I did a quick flit about the garden today, deadheading here and there, pulling a few errant weeds hiding under shrubs, giving life-saving drinks to pots with pretty blooms..........I was a wee bit sad to think of all the growing beauty I'll miss while riding elephants in the bush etc. LOL!

No delicate Peace roses and blue hydrangeas there!

The beautiful and fragrant magnolia has lost

the petals, however I can't toss it out yet

as it's still so lovely to look at.

Who did I find in the middle of a large loose privet next to the gazebo? A Brown Thrasher sitting calmly on a nest with two pretty eggs. We've always had Thrashers in the garden but this is the first time I've found a nest. Welcome to a new family, however I don't think I'll be back in time to see the babies before they fledge.

"Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag and smile, smile, smile".......

So smiling I am as I continue to stuff every corner of my kit-bag backpack and hope that it gets to its destination safely. We'll arrive in Johannesburg Saturday and fly out on Sunday to Botswana's awesome Abu Elephant Camp - click to see.

Gotta run, my old clocks are ticking away, lots still to do!

Not sure I'll be able to post or comment while gone.........just know I'll miss keeping up andwill be thinking of you.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Berries seem to be available just about any time of year now. Arriving from points far off, surviving cold storage and quick transportation across thousands of miles, you can have your morning bowl of berries fifty two weeks a year. Often they are just not that great - aging and too soft, or hard and tasteless.

I bought this basket of strawberries last week - they were alongside the local blueberries at the grocery store, both from the same farm just a few miles outside the city. They had been picked that morning, probably stacked carefully in a little pickup truck with scraped paint and muddy tires, an old hound dog in the passenger seat catching the breeze through the open window, and driven up the highway, no further than 15 miles or so. They are double delicious, we've thoroughly enjoyed them...........and there are enough left for one more 'bowl of berries' or a strawberry shortcake for dessert.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

I know in my heart that every time I head West toward the North Carolina mountains the spectacular scenery is waiting to blow me over. No matter the weather I love each moment spent there. Although I grew up by the sea in England, and still crave ocean views and salty air, I have to admit the mountains call to me often. These days when I am here at home, slap dab in the middle of North Carolina, I'm torn as to whether I should go East or West.

When in Asheville, small mountain city known mainly for the amazing Biltmore Estate- it's a fabulous place to visit - but not every time I'm in town. After mountain gazing I want to spend time with my Asheville area friends antiquing and thrifting at great treasure troves......my all time favorite being ScreenDoor.

So here's a quick visit to the shop to share the *quirky treasures that caught my eye a week or so ago........and, for a change, I thought I'd point out things I didn't bring home. Of course I'm kicking myself over several I passed up, but moreso over neat things I really didn't see until I looked at my photos here on the laptop!

Such as, above, the unusual urn, the huge corbel, and that fabulous mirror on the left.

The rusty iron cross is beautiful, and those metal discs could be an interesting conversation piece.

The iron gates with fleur-de-lis tops - gorgeous patina.

Unusual charts - love the toadstools for a kitchen wall.

The charming 'lodge style' canoe, the table/island with the bottom pot board and great paint finish.

Yes, I have a lovely santo already, but more would make a great collection!

Friday, June 1, 2012

Some of you have asked that I share my safari wardrobe before stuffing it into the duffel bag. So here goes.......

There are rules, and some people break them.........perhaps they don't care about respecting the people and wildlife of Africa. You don't wear bright colors and patterns, or even white when participating in game drives into the bush. Neutrals, especially khaki, beige, dark grey and olive green are perfect. Fortunately I adore those shades so preparing for an adventure such as this is easy peasy for me! Famous last words as I look as the piles of stuff growing daily on the guest room bed! Winter will just be commencing and early mornings, evenings, and night time may be quite chilly..... but thankfully rain should be almost nonexistent.

Remember that awesome intro by Isak Dinesen in her memorable book.......Out Of Africa?

"I had a farm in Africa, at the foot of the Ngong Hills"

Then came the movie starring the wonderful Meryl Streep, striding through the bush in stunning clothes......haven't we always loved that romantic yet strong look? A woman in charge, in a landscape seldom experienced by Europeans in the early 1900's.

Sweeping skirts, petticoats, with linen shirts and silk ties, jodphurs and fitted riding jackets, leather and canvas paddock boots. Beautiful looks but no longer practical for today's game rides into the Bushveldt, and definitely too heavy and bulky for the one allowed soft bag on small bush planes.

Instead, here are some items I'm packing:

The safari vest above. Purchased for the previous trip to southern Africa in 2010. Plenty of handy pockets for batteries, photo cards, Altoids etc. Layered over this dark olive tunic sweatshirt and lighter green hemp/cotton tee, these pieces with a pair of comfy black slim pants (which double as dressy pants for dinner) will be my traveling clothes. Note my fabulous Baggallini animal print bag, the most delightful gift received for my first visit to Africa from great friend Sarah at Hyacinths For The Soulin Texas. Still love it Sarah and it has visited a lot of the world in the last two years!

A second new vest in olive green, lighter weight and comfy over an olive quilted cotton jacket from Target several years ago.

A couple of very lightweight cardigans to layer over short or long sleeve tees depending on the temperature.

Subtle printed soft square scarf - large enough to wear as a shawl, or tied at the neckline, even as a head wrap on a chilly morning drive before the sun comes up! I'll be taking at least three scarves.

The required brimmed safari sunhat - this one has built-in insect repellent - as does the charcoal gray, warm and quick-dry jersey in the foreground above.

All my lovely flower pins, again very lightweight for travel, are tiny treasures made by my dear friend Patti in Washington state.

My now well-worn khaki-green suede short boots, light, comfy and perfect with long or cropped pants and shorts. My only other footwear will be my Keen 'Whisper' sandals which go everywhere, can get wet, and are very, very comfortable.........and a pair of flat dressier sandals for around the camps and evenings. Thick, insect-repellent treated socks are a must for me..............and while on the subject of insects, as in mosquitoes, you can see my anti-malarial medication ready and waiting - VERY IMPORTANT not to forget that.

Bottoms up! Three pairs of safari pants, two convert to shorts, the other pair rolls up to become crops.

Another pretty scarf to jazz up a plain top for evening, along with a special necklace. The cream bandanna is treated with insect repellent - I found this great last time and was only bitten once the entire trip.

A cheapo poncho ready for the spray at Victoria Falls, and do I see cute little rolls of 'bush toilet paper'? A must-have on a long game drive!

Last but by no means least, a little 'bling' to brighten things up in the evenings. Nothing expensive or weighty, just some favorites from friends, mostly handcrafted, loved, and easily tucked in a corner of the bag.

This of course is not everything that must be stuffed in the main bag..........hopefully the little corners and zippered pockets will allow for toiletry essentials and all the extra paraphernalia we modern travelers require. Additional carry on bag will be the back pack......a lot has to fit in there! Our total allowance for everything, including cameras, is only 44 pounds due to the very small planes used for transport between the four countries we'll be visiting.

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR is a fresh version of my former three year blog ACROSS THE POND which can still be accessed by clicking on the title above.I'm a transplanted Brit enjoying life in North Carolina.

Fifty five years of journeying back and forth across the wide Atlantic Ocean have kept me busy…….and made my life very interesting! Although I've now visited all seven continents, I continue to travel and look forward to sharing new places around the world.I love taking photos! All images are my own unless noted otherwise. Please do not use my photos without a request. I enjoy sharing and will usually say OK!

Malaysia 2012

Singapore 2012

Hawaii 2012

Hoi An 2011

Vietnam 2011

Chiang Mai 2011

Bangkok 2011

TASMANIA 2011

Australia Nov. 2011

Expedition Cruising 2011

M/V Orion

Sub-Antarctic 2011

King Penguins

My African Safari...May 2010

The Lion

Africa 2010

The Leopard

Africa 2010

Remembering Africa - 2010

Lassen National Park, California

Thanks so much for reading along this far……if you've enjoyed my tales and photos and would like to see more, click on the Older Posts button, or the photo thumbnails above to take you back…there are awesome countries and exciting adventures. If you love to decorate your personal space, dig and delve in your garden, and turn out tasty morsels from your kitchen..........you're at the right place!